Cost of Loving [Import]

The Cost of Loving is widely regarded as The Style Council's worst album. Compared to the rest of the group's catalog, this is a fair assessment. However, many folks feel the need to dismiss the album altogether; this is too bad, because, though the album is decidely flawed, there really are some fine songs to be found here.

The first problem with the album was the timing of its release. Unlike the previous TSC albums (including the US mini-LP compilation, Introducing The Style Council), which had come out in either spring or summer, The Cost of Loving came out smack in the middle of winter. The overall sound of the album seemed to reflect this, lacking the spirit of its predecessors.

It was also the first Style Council album to boast a proper band lineup, whereas the group had previously been Paul Weller and Mick Talbot with an ever-shifting cast of Honorary Councillors. Only the group's decision to bring in different people (among them Curtis Mayfield) to mix each song was in keeping with this tradition.

As far as the songs go, the only serious misstep is "Right to go", ruined by some embarrassing (and dated) "rappin" by The Dynamic Three. However, the title track suffers from a needlessly clunky arrangement (a much-improved, re-recorded version was released later that year as the b-side of "Wanted"), "Angel" is a bit lackluster sounding, and "Waiting" was Weller's first single in many years to miss the UK top 40. But, not all is lost...

"It didn't matter" was the biggest hit from the album; though slightly droney, its passion carries it through. The real highlights of the album, in my view, are "Heavens above" and "Fairy tales". Not only do these two songs come the closest to achieving the soulful sound TSC appeared to be striving for, but they're also the most passionate songs on the album - not to mention the most political. Additionally, "Fairy tales" (politics aside, a party tune) was mixed by the great Curtis Mayfield.

Rounding out the album are the lurvely, romantic "Walking the night", and the so-called 'hidden track' (it wasn't listed on the UK LP) "A woman's song", a stinging piece based on a children's lullaby.

Could this have been a better album? Sure. But you'd be missing out if you were to ignore it...

Probably the weakest of the Style Council's albums, but it does have some good points. "Walking the Night" evokes a feeling of tramping dark, lonely streets in the wee hours; the title track is quite good as well. The main problem with the album is the much larger inclusion of Dee C. Lee. I'm sorry, but her voice has never sat well with me, and it's never more apparent why than on this album. She has a very generic, un-interesting voice. There is no oomph, nothing special about it. It's much better suited to singing in a chorus than dueting or taking lead. "A Woman's Song" evokes nothing in me, because her voice has no feeling to it, even though the lyrics are fantastic. Also, "Angel" has such a gorgeous melody, but her voice completely ruins it. She's trying too hard to sing out of her range, which isn't that great to begin with. I know she was Mrs. Weller for a time, but certainly was never his equal musically.

The Style Council is one of my favorite bands of all time, however this album is a complete misfire. Heavily produced forgettable songs fill the disc. The only one worth listening to is the title track, and it's decent at best. Every other Style Council album is good to fantastic, peaking with the live album Home and Abroad. The band was revolutionary and underappreciated, especially in the U.S., so buy everything else they produced first and consider this CD only to say you have the complete collection.
P.S. I saw Paul Weller at The Wiltern in Los Angeles last night and it was fantastic. The Style Council and Jam tunes were the highlights but the solo songs were good too.